Portland Press Herald Podcast

In this episode, businessman Shawn Moody talks about building his business from humble beginnings in Gorham.

In this episode, businessman Adam Cote talks about his military service and adjusting to life in Sanford after tours of duty abroad.

In this episode, state Rep. Mark Eves talks about growing up the son of a military chaplain.

In this episode, former DHHS commissioner Mary Mayhew talks about growing up in Pittsfield and her love of gardening.

In this episode, former Cumberland County sheriff and current state Rep. Mark Dion talks about growing up in Lewiston and how he remembers it differently from Gov. Paul LePage.

Bill Nemitz sits down with candidates for governor to take a break from politics and gets to know the personal stories of Maine’s public figures. In this episode, state Sen. Garrett Mason talks about his deep bond with his mother, who used to give him a hug every day they worked together in the State House.

This is a recording of the Maine Cannabis Report Live event held May 23rd at the Port City Music Hall. The topic today is "Ready for Recreational" The guests are: Scott Durst, the founder, Durst Security Group specializes in cannabis business security in Maine. Thomas Mourmouras, managing partner, Fiscal Therapy Financial, a marijuana-focused business consulting firm  Erik Peters, chief operating officer, GHM Insurance  in Waterville And Jacques Santucci, Principal, Nucleus One,  a consulting firm specializing in performance and management in the cannabis industry Santucci is also a co-founder of Wellness Connection of Maine, a medical dispensary with four locations.  The moderator is Portland Press Herald reporter Penelope Overton.

A company’s physical work environment has a tremendous impact on productivity, profits and employee recruitment and retention. As more firms are drawn to the “agile office” when they move locations or redesign, finding the balance between flexible space, sound level management and a sense of routine can be a challenge. Join a panel of experts for free discussion of the benefits and detriments to breaking out of the office space box   On the panel HOST: Carol Coultas, business editor Carol Coultas has been practicing journalism in Maine since the mid-‘80s and focusing on business journalism since 2003. She’s been the business editor at the Press Herald, overseeing an award-winning staff, since 2014. Panelists: Mark Pettengill, CEO, Patrons Oxford Insurance Company Mark Pettengill is a lifelong Mainer who has worked in the insurance industry for more than 25 years.  For the past six years he has been the President & CEO of Patrons Oxford Insurance Company, recently relocating from Auburn to Portland. Pette

Staff reporter Penelope Overton and an experienced panel discusses one of Maine’s newest growth industries: medical marijuana. The panel explores what business opportunities exist in this market, how the caregiver network has evolved, proposed state legislation and rules that could transform the industry, and how the launch of Maine’s recreational market could impact patient access, demand and business opportunities. On the panel: Catherine Lewis, chair of the board, Medical Marijuana Caregivers of Maine Patricia Rosi, CEO, Wellness Connection of Maine, the state’s largest group of medical marijuana dispensaries Eric Brakey, Republican senator from District 20 (Auburn, New Gloucester, Poland, Minot and Mechanic Falls) Peter Mourmouras, founder, The Tax Doctor, a tax and financial consulting practice

Detective Lt. Tim Cotton runs the Bangor, Maine Police Department’s Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/bangormainepolice/ In the span of three years, with a little help from the Duck of Justice, Tim Cotton has grown the department’s following from 10,000 to (almost) 275,000—more than eight times the population of Bangor. He's now the Criminal Investigations Commander within the department, but he still makes plenty of time for social media. Tim Cotton was interviewed by Portland Press Herald reporter and social media editor, Jim Patrick as part of the newspaper's "Maine Voices Live" series.

President Donald Trump signed The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act into law on December 22. How will this affect Maine businesses? Hear from a panel of Southern Maine’s business community about the changes that they have seen thus far in 2018 and what they expect in the coming months. Are businesses changing their incorporation status? Will Maine lawmakers seek conformity between Maine’s corporate taxes and the new federal rates? Press Herald business reporter J. Craig Anderson moderated.   Panelists:  Karla Brannen, CPA, Albin, Randall & Bennett Justin Coffin, Financial Advisor, Rockland Financial Group at UBS Financial Services Kris Eimicke, Partner, Pierce Atwood LLP

All businesses need to protect their networked assets, and securing customer data from the start is a top priority for best practices. Small businesses need to consider what services are worth the investment… and what schemes are worth anticipating. Hear from experts about the best strategies to retain and grow your business during a time of rapid technology development. Moderated by business editor Carol Coultas. The panel today is: Durward Ferland. He helps lead information assurance services at Macpage and advises clients nationwide. Mark Monnin who currently teaches courses in Cyber Security and Information Technology at the University of Southern Maine And Rick Simonds, president & COO, Sage Data Security This panel was recorded on January 24, 2018 at the Portland Public Library.

Portland Mayor Ethan Strimling pushes back against criticism of his leadership style with his own critique of the media's focus on personality and what he sees as a failure to engage in issues that matter to the city, in a conversation with Editorial Page Editor Greg Kesich.

In 2016, a victory at the polls for a substantial minimum wage hike was a small bright spot for progressives in what was an otherwise devastating election. Now, some of the same people behind that referendum were able to pass a Medicaid expansion law over vocal opposition from Gov. LePage. Hallweaver is the legislative director for the MPA and she discusses these policy successes, progressive politics in general and the organization’s next big goal— a state-wide referendum on a universal long-term-care benefit for seniors who want to stay in their homes. Host's note: This is our last episode of the opinion podcast for a little while. After a year of trying out a new medium, we are taking a hiatus to figure out what worked, what didn't, what we liked, and what we want to hear more of. What did you enjoy most about this podcast since you have been listening? What types of audio conversations and stories would you like to hear more of from the Press Herald? Please email us your thoughts at letterstotheeditor@pr

After a more tense than usual municipal and state election season, host Greg Kesich and assistant editorial page editor Sarah Collins answer questions from readers about how the Press Herald Editorial Board makes endorsements of issues and candidates. Then, co-host Bill Nemitz unpacks his Sunday column that decried misleading use of the Press Herald logo in a candidate’s mailer. He feels it represents a trend of hard-edged political tactics in and around City Hall.

At 12 years old, Sarah Perry woke up to a fight in her home. When she got the courage to leave her room, she found her mother brutally murdered—and would have to wait more than twenty years until the killer was found. She spoke with reporter Kelley Bouchard about After the Eclipse, her memoir about life before and after the crime. Bouchard reveals the difficult responsibility of covering both brutal violence and personal stories. Also in this episode, Kesich and Nemitz take a few moments to untangle the case of the missing Waterville pit bulls, who allegedly escaped from the shelter the same hour they were ordered to be put down.

A huge school construction bond along with ballot questions that could block future rent increases, no-cause evictions and some developments have created divisions that are playing out  in a three-way race for an at-large city council seat. Violette, a West End resident, observes how a liberal city can get mired in infighting if there are no Republicans around to take advantage. Violette also shares why he voted for Trump, despite never loving his personality. 

With Sen. Collins choosing to remain in the Senate, host Greg Kesich, columnist Cynthia Dill and marketing project manager Molly Adams talk about the influence a moderate politician can have in such a politically divided time. They also break down allegations against Harvey Weinstein and discuss why it has shocked us into a new national conversation about sex, gender and power. Finally, Greg talks with Megan Doyle, lead reporter for “From Away: Stories of Immigration in Maine,” who shares insider info about the editorial process in granting anonymity, finding sources and the decision to remove comments from the series. Read the complete series about Maine immigrants and the paths they traveled here.

Editorial Page Editor Greg Kesich and columnist Bill Nemitz sit down with Roy Lenardson, a longtime Republican strategist. He has worked with conservative candidates and causes for more than two decades, and is currently sharpening the message for gubernatorial candidate Mary Mayhew and the anti-casino Vote No on 1 campaign. Lenardson explains his theories about why elections in Maine have become less predictable and pulls back the curtain on how he frames the issues that that will resonate with voters.